Contents

Built in 1856, the Northampton Lunatic Hospital was the fourth Kirkbride building to be constructed; it originally consisted of a single three story brick building, designed in a Gothic Revival style, and had the capacity for 250 patients. Following the Kirkbride design, the central administration floors were flanked by two patient wings, one for male and one for female. After many different expansions and additions to attempt to relieve overcrowding, the building seems to have become a confusing maze of rooms and hallways.

At the turn of the century, the now renamed Northampton State Hospital housed 600 people in overcrowded living conditions. Infirmary wings were added to both sides in 1905 and frequent additions were made since, but the hospital remained congested and the old structure was decaying quickly. By the 1950's, the patient population had peaked at over 2,500; the hospital began to serve only as a roof over the heads of the most unfortunate people, and the original ideals of "moral treatment" of patients were long forgotten.

In 1961, more patients were being discharged than admitted, and a slow de-institutionalization process took place in 1978 and lasted 14 years. After many treatment reform efforts and legal battles, Northampton State Hospital finally closed it's doors in 1993. During the beginning of the 21st century many of the buildings surrounding the main Kirkbride were slowly demolished. And after many failed attempts from preservation groups, the Kirkbride was finally demolished in 2007. Then, to add insult to injury, Mass Development, the company developing the former hospital site renamed it from "Village at Hospital Hill" to "Village Hill Northampton". [1][2]

1855 — A state commission announces that Northampton has been selected as a site for the state's third hospital for the insane. Later that year, 172 acres is purchased for $13,000.

1858 — During the spring, construction of the Northampton Lunatic Hospital is completed. The cost of the project is $300,000.

On July 1, the first patient is admitted. By Oct. 1, there are 220 patients admitted.

1903 — Title of the institution is changed permanently to the Northampton State Hospital. A new infirmary for women also opens. The patient population is up to about 650, and the number of employees is 135.

1935 — A new heating plant, a new laundry building, a fourth ward building, a cafeteria, and a tunnel connecting the new complex to the old are constructed. There are now approximately 2,100 patients and 420 employees at the hospital.

1952 — Dr. Jack R. Ewalt is appointed as superintendent. Ewalt is credited with making a number of changes to the hospital, including re-modeling of wards, adding a number of patient clinics and the opening of a beauty parlor, which supposedly had strong results in the rehabilitation of female patients. The hospital now has 2,331 patients and 509 employees.

1978 — A federal court in December orders the hospital to be shut down. That step followed a request to the court to end the institutionalization of the mentally ill.

1990 — The state Legislature passes a bill that makes 154 acres of the property and some buildings available for reuse. The bills passage capped a four-year effort led by State Rep. William P. Nagle.

1991 — The state announces in June that the hospital will close in one year, which was eventually delayed to two years. The hospital is closing under a plan to move mentally ill patients into private care. The final closing meant that 129 patients will be moved and 315 jobs lost.

1993 — On Aug. 26, the last 17 patients leave the hospital.

1997 - Request for Proposals for redevelopment of 154 acres and buildings (Division of Capital Planning and Operations)

1998 - The Community Builders selected as master developers

1999 - Master plan from The Community Builders presented to the Division of Capital Asset Management (previously DCPO)

2000 - The State Hospital:In Memoriam events, November. Also, MassDevelopment is added as a partner with Community Builders as master developers.

2001 - Preparations for redevelopment and demolition projected to begin in August.[3][4]

Used between 1858 and 1921 for patients with no family to claim them. Markers are no longer visible; area used as a hayfield. No map or plot book has been found. A 1997 DMH study from existing records confirmed 181 burials with 413 more possible (disposition "Northampton" or left blank). DMH will not release the names of those interred here. There is a bench surrounded by two yews. Plaque on one side of bench, "State Hospital Burial Grounds 1858-1921, Rest in Peace"; plaque on other side, "Dedicated in memory of those individuals known and unknown interred on this hillside. Bench erected 1959 by William J. Goggins, Jr Northampton State Hospital. Restored 2002 Northampton Historical Commission".